Subset Games, meaning Justin Ma and Matthew Davis, shipped this on 14 September 2012 after a Kickstarter that asked for 10,000 dollars and collected roughly twenty times that. You run a Federation ship through eight sectors with a Rebel fleet closing behind you, spending scrap on systems and weapons, and the run ends against a three phase Rebel Flagship in Sector 8. The free Advanced Edition update in April 2014 added the Lanius, hacking, mind control, the Clone Bay and the Backup Battery, and it is on by default now. Nothing is randomised in your favour, and a good run is mostly a sequence of decisions about what not to buy.
FTL: Faster Than Light features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civilian Sector | Sectors 1 to 3 | Stores, low risk events, fuel and drone parts | Engi Cruiser |
| 2 | Nebula Sector | Any sector, most useful when you need time | Slower rebel pursuit, hidden beacons, ion storm hazards | Engi Cruiser |
| 3 | Mantis Homeworlds | Sectors 3 to 6 | High scrap rewards, Mantis crew recruits, heavy boarding risk | Kestrel Cruiser |
| 4 | Abandoned Sector | Sectors 3 to 6, Advanced Edition only | Lanius crew, derelict salvage, unusual system rewards | Kestrel Cruiser |
| 5 | The Last Stand | Sector 8, final | Run completion, ship unlocks, achievement progress | Kestrel Cruiser |
Civilian Sector: Starting Area
The safest sector type on the map, with more shops, more stores and fewer forced fights than anything else. Take one early while your ship is still weak, and take a hostile sector instead once your loadout has come together and you need scrap rather than safety.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Sectors 1 to 3 |
| Key Rewards | Stores, low risk events, fuel and drone parts |
| Recommended Build | Engi Cruiser |
| Key Equipment | Halberd Beam |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Reactor power split across systems. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Nebula Sector.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Nebula Sector: Early Game
Sensors do not work, the rebel fleet advances more slowly, and ion storms cut your reactor output in half inside affected beacons. Slug crew see through the fog, which is the one reason a Slug in the crew roster matters more here than anywhere else.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Any sector, most useful when you need time |
| Key Rewards | Slower rebel pursuit, hidden beacons, ion storm hazards |
| Recommended Build | Engi Cruiser |
| Key Equipment | Halberd Beam |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Active pausing during combat. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Halberd Beam if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Mantis Homeworlds.
Mantis Homeworlds: Mid Game
The most dangerous species sector in the game because Mantis ships board aggressively and Mantis crew win most melee fights. Bring a Medbay you can retreat to, and consider venting rooms rather than fighting boarders directly.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Sectors 3 to 6 |
| Key Rewards | High scrap rewards, Mantis crew recruits, heavy boarding risk |
| Recommended Build | Kestrel Cruiser |
| Key Equipment | Halberd Beam |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Burst Laser Mark II becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Crew skills and boarding for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Abandoned Sector: Late Game
Added by the Advanced Edition update along with the Lanius themselves. The sector runs on derelict stations and Lanius encounters, and Lanius crew drain the air from any room they stand in, which means fights here take place in vacuum more often than not.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Sectors 3 to 6, Advanced Edition only |
| Key Rewards | Lanius crew, derelict salvage, unusual system rewards |
| Recommended Build | Kestrel Cruiser |
| Key Equipment | Burst Laser Mark II |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Burst Laser Mark II should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- The three phase Rebel Flagship mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into The Last Stand.
The Last Stand: Endgame
Sector 8, where the run ends. You get a short window to repair and buy at the Federation base before the Rebel Flagship arrives, and the fight runs across three separate phases with the Flagship repairing between them. Its loadout is fixed, so it is the only encounter you can plan for exactly.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Sector 8, final |
| Key Rewards | Run completion, ship unlocks, achievement progress |
| Recommended Build | Kestrel Cruiser |
| Key Equipment | Burst Laser Mark II |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Zoltan Cruiser for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Civilian Sector → Nebula Sector → Mantis Homeworlds → Abandoned Sector → The Last Stand. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More FTL: Faster Than Light Guides
- FTL: Faster Than Light FTL: Faster Than Light Overview
- FTL: Faster Than Light Best Builds
- FTL: Faster Than Light Tier List
- FTL: Faster Than Light Walkthrough
- FTL: Faster Than Light Beginner's Guide
- FTL: Faster Than Light Tips & Tricks
- FTL: Faster Than Light Weapons Guide
- FTL: Faster Than Light Combat Guide
- FTL: Faster Than Light Boss Guide
- FTL: Faster Than Light Crafting Guide
- FTL: Faster Than Light Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy FTL: Faster Than Light, check out these related guides:
- Risk of Rain 2 Maps & Locations: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Hades Maps & Locations: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Darkest Dungeon Maps & Locations: roguelike game with similar mechanics
